Three of Coventry's high rise blocks are to benefit from a £4million upgrade, thanks to Whitefriars Housing.

The internal and external refurbishment project, due to start in June, will see £3million spent on Thomas King House to replace bathrooms and kitchens, install gas central heating and decorate the communal areas, as well as putting on a new roof. Works will also be done around the base of the block to make it more inviting and secure for residents. 

Joe Malone, group investment programme manager for WM Housing, of which Whitefriars is a part, said: "These improvements are going to mean massive changes for people living in the blocks. We are looking at security improvements and other measures to combat anti-social behaviour as these were issues that were raised by residents during the consultation.

"We are committed to creating places where people are proud to live and work so we want to make wider improvements to help improve residents' quality of life, as well as make physical changes to the building."

Elsewhere Whitefriars is also updating Hillfields and Paradise House, both of which are due to be finished by November.

Both blocks are undergoing external refurbishments including glazed curtain walling to improve the appearance, refurbished balconies, new door entry systems, and a new canopy and signage. Other improvements include refurbishing internal and external communal areas and a new roof for one block.

As an added bonus both contractors will be offering support to a local community initiative which in this case is practical assistance with the new Hillfields City Farm project aimed at providing new play facilities for local children.

WM Housing, of which Whitefriars Housing is part, is committed to creating places where people are proud to live and work and is currently running a campaign to work with customers to improve their communities, as well as working with customers to improve their opportunities and tackle worklessness.